![\"\"](\"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/AlexGunn-RS-1050x765.jpg\")
CCOVI Research Assistant Alexandra Gunn (BSc \u201919) was busy in the field collecting grape samples in Niagara for analysis as part of this year\u2019s Preharvest Monitoring Program.<\/p><\/div>\n
While this year\u2019s growing season started off a bit cooler than normal (including several frost events and snow around Mother\u2019s Day), it transitioned quickly to being mostly warm and dry, with lots of sun. As the ripening period set in later in the season, Niagara continued to experience warm days with cool, fall nights \u2014 creating ideal growing conditions for wines with great character and regional identity.<\/p>\n
Willwerth says the cooler periods were beneficial to the region\u2019s white varieties, because the grapes achieved high sugar levels and flavour development while maintaining the acidity that is characteristic of Niagara\u2019s cool climate wine styles.<\/p>\n
As for the region\u2019s reds, the high number of growing degree days this year encouraged advanced maturity in the grapes. This allows growers to pick their grapes when it works best for them, rather than having to wait until the bitter end of the season.<\/p>\n
Amelie\u00a0Boury, Vice-President, Winemaking and Operations at Niagara-on-the-Lake\u2019s Ch\u00e2teau des Charmes, says the co-operative weather has been a \u201clight at the end of the tunnel\u201d of what has been an \u201cextremely challenging year\u201d due to the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n
She said the Pinot noir and Bordeaux varietals at her site are looking \u201cphenomenal,\u201d and that they will even be able to produce their series of wines that only come out in the best vintage years. The last time they were able to do so was back in 2016, which was another excellent vintage for Niagara.<\/p>\n
Utilizing CCOVI\u2019s preharvest program, she adds, also helps provide reassurance to her team that their field testing and analysis is on track throughout the year.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is always good to have a group of scientists at your fingertips,\u201d she says. \u201cNo vintage is the same, and knowing you have a solid backup from the team at CCOVI for assessment and analysis is a plus.\u201d<\/p>\n
Willwerth says having additional data to guide decision-making in the vineyard is also beneficial in a year like this one, where the scheduling of harvest might be more difficult because of social distancing and other pandemic-related considerations.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur database of preharvest information provides a historic record so that you can look at harvest dates from previous years and predict when you might be harvesting and get that reassurance of when the grapes might be ready to come in,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n
With a decade worth of data now at their disposal, CCOVI researchers can also compile long-term trends and compare similarities and differences between vintages across the region.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can connect the dots between growing season conditions, vine development and fruit maturity, which we can then relate to wine quality,\u201d he says. \u201cTherefore, it\u2019s a fantastic resource for both researchers and for the industry.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Preharvest Monitoring Program is utilized by the grape and wine industry locally and around the world. Last year, more than 1,300 people from 12 different countries checked in on the data CCOVI reported on Niagara\u2019s harvest.<\/p>\n